NATIONAL NEGLECT OF
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Children and adults living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and who are now living with the effects, are a large and
diverse group facing unique problems. While it is debatable whether
there is a growing epidemic
of Autism, the number of children being diagnosed is definitely
increasing. Some researchers estimate that roughly one in fifty
children could be on the autism spectrum yet the responses by
governments has bordered on neglect for our future generations.

Historically there is always a slow response from governments in
responding to disabilities. There needs to be firm proof the disability
exists, then clear strategies for developing supports, and the emergence
of welfare associations that can be funded. All of this has happened.
There has been a measure of financial support by governments, but
in most countries it is a drop in the ocean when looking at the
magnitude of the issues.

Lack of specific supports

Service and support opportunities are limited,
and community attitudes are restrictive, so adults on the autism spectrum face significant problems. Adults
with Autism and Adults
with Asperger's often face unemployment, difficulties in relationships,
greater risk of alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness and inappropriate
accommodation when support is required. In extreme circumstances,
adults on the autism spectrum who exhibit challenging behaviors
are being inappropriately diverted into the criminal justice system.
Generic services that attempt to support adults on the autism spectrum often do so within a philosophical framework and operational
culture designed for people with an intellectual or psychiatric
disability.

Lack of appropriate schools

Children on the autism spectrum experience
difficulties at school. At the milder end of the spectrum, so children
with Asperger's
syndrome may be in the general school system but with little
formal support by teachers or the education
system. Special schools for children with disabilities are not
specifically set up to deal with Autism Spectrum Disorders so
the child is in a system designed for intellectual disabilities.
In many countries, any schools specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders are privately run, hugely expensive and often require
huge sacrifices from parents to afford the fees.

UNSUPPORTED FAMILIES

Inadequate and disjointed service systems place
increased stress on parents and carers. Where specialist services
are not available, parents report that their unmet needs are compounded
by the complexities of dealing with multiple services, which may
have differing or competing agendas, approaches and philosophical
underpinnings. Needs of families also change over time in terms
of increased emphasis on community and social support.

The enormous task of parents is compounded by the lack of community
awareness. It is difficult to understand the anguish of parents
when the wider community reacts negatively to their child as there
is little understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the wider
community. The success of parents to support their child is often
dependent on the acceptance and support they receive from the local
community.

Lack of accommodation

In the 1970s, a push for closing institutions
saw a push for moving people with disabilities into the community
with appropriate supports. While this was ethically and philosophically
a good step, for many governments this was an opportunity to cut
costs. People with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities have
a measure of support for community-based living that is often seen
as meager - for adults on the autism spectrum it is non-existent
in most countries.

This neglect covers short-term, long-term and
transitional accommodation. Inappropriate placements and limited
supports within the community commonly result in loss of contact
with services and homelessness. Unsuitable involvement with acute
psychiatric services and the justice system can be attributed to
poor accommodation support.

Respite support

Respite
services are often of an institutional tone. In many instances,
these services are poorly equipped and under-resourced to assist
children or adults on the autism spectrum who may also exhibit
challenging
behaviors. Local day activities and in-home respite services
are usually not set up for people on the severe end of the autism spectrum, further compounding the paucity of recreation and employment
opportunities.

Employment support

Vocational support is often available to people
with disabilities, but very few are experienced with the specific
issues raised by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Generic employment
support services may avoid people on the autism spectrum due to
the complex nature of the extended support required. Effective support
strategies and models of response are yet to be developed in most
countries.

Advocacy needed

Much of the historic neglect of people on the
autism spectrum has developed through a lack of education among
government and non-government bodies. It would be reasonable to
expect that if education, advocacy and behavioral support programs
were addressed appropriately, generic services would be more willing
and better equipped to respond effectively.

Click here for the full
range of Asperger's and Autism fact sheets at www.autism-help.org
This autism fact sheet is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation. It is derivative of an Autism and Asperger's
syndrome-related articles at http://en.wikipedia.org